Crown Point speed limit reduced

Motorists traveling through Crown Point had better slow down. The state Department of Transportation has reduced the speed limit on Route 9N/22 through the hamlet of Crown Point from 40 mph to 30 mph. The action came after a lengthy battle waged by Dave Carr, who lives on the highway. "It was a dangerous situation," Carr said. "There were trucks driving through Crown Point doing 45-50 mph. There had been a lot of minor accidents and it was just a matter of time until something terrible happened." Carr was especially concerned about a blind curve near Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the area in front of Crown Point Central School, the intersection of Route 9N/22 with Sugar Hill and Creek roads and a blind hill near the intersection of Route 9N/22 and Lake Road. While the speed limit was 40 mph through the hamlet, it was 30 mph in front of the school when school was in session. "People were afraid to cross the street from the parking lot to the church and children had to cross the street to get to religious education classes," Carr said of the area near Sacred Heart. "There are a lot of children crossing the street in front of the school, too. It was very dangerous." Carr took his concerns to the Crown Point town board, which contacted the state DOT. When no action was taken, Carr gathered signatures on petitions seeking a speed limit reduction. When those failed to garner DOT support, Carr reached out to Assemblywoman Betty Little, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and U.S. Rep. Bill Owens. Each leader then contacted the DOT and action followed. The speed limit through Crown Point hamlet was reduced in September. "The New York State Department of Transportation conducted an investigation on Route 9N and Route 22 based on Mr. Carr's concerns," said John McDonald, DOT commissioner. "To be consistent with our speed limit postings through municipalities with similar highway and roadside development characteristics, NYSDOT staff has determined that reducing the 40 mph speed limit to 30 mph and reducing the school speed limit to 20 mph are justified." Carr praised the efforts of Little, Cuomo and Owens. "They're the people who made this happen," Carr said. "I want to thank them." Cuomo thanked Carr. "Thank you for your recent correspondence and for bringing your concerns to my attention," the governor wrote to Carr. "To build a stronger, competent government in New York, we need the participation of citizens like you to spotlight problems and areas in need of improvement. Your input is invaluable to our mission to create a government that works for its people, and I appreciate you taking the time to write to me." While Carr has been successful in reducing the Crown Point speed limit, DOT officials warn speeding traffic may still be a problem. "National studies and our own experience have proven that simply reducing the speed limit will not reduce the operating speeds of most motorists traveling through a particular corridor," McDonald said. "We also recommend that the town of Crown Point work closely with the state police and Essex County sheriff to implement an enforcement strategy targeting those motorists who may be in violation of the speed limits within the hamlet."

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